"This Life"

"For who knows what is good for man in life, 

all the days of his vain life which he passes like a shadow?" 

(Eccl. 6: 12) 

In the scriptures there is constant reference to "this life" and its contrast with "the life to come" (or to the afterlife, to life in eternity after death and resurrection). Some people believe in this life only, not believing in any afterlife. (Ironically, some of these have had their bodies frozen in the hopes that future technology may be able to revive them, thus giving them a kind of afterlife) These are, said the Psalmist, "men of the world, which have their portion in this life." (Psa. 17: 14) "This life" implies another life, an afterlife. Most men focus on the present life and push thoughts about an afterlife to the side. The present life is paramount and mortals should live and act upon the belief that there is no afterlife, or at least any that would imply any harm (universal salvation). This is the predominant belief of human beings, if not theoretically, then practically.

"If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable." (I Cor. 15: 19)

A man's life on earth ought to be lived in the belief that there is a life after life on earth, after the death of the body. When men live and act with the belief that there is only the present life, and no life after death, they live with the sole purpose of pleasing themselves and insuring their own survival. Though they live without fear of God, they do not live without fear of death, or without fear of other men. If there is no life after death, no God or judgment after death, then one may live without fear of consequences after death. This atheistic belief creates a chaotic and brutish world. 

"For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come." (I Tim. 4: 8)

Notice the contrast between "the life that now is" and "the life that is to come." How one lives his life on earth will determine his existence in "the life to come." The Lord Jesus Christ said - "the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation." (John 5: 28-29) 

The doing evil is the cause of people being resurrected to condemnation. But, doing good is not the cause of participating in "the resurrection of life." Rather, it is a description of those who have been converted to Christ and of their lives after it. Their doing good was the result of having been made good. “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit." (Matt. 12: 33 niv) 

The Lord makes the tree (the believing sinner) good when he saves him, when he changes his heart, his mind, and his nature. From that point on, the believer will begin to be good in his behavior (his fruit will be good). Our Lord spoke of hypocrites among his professed followers in the parable of the soils and of the seed, saying that they, like all unbelievers, become "choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection." (Luke 8: 14) Notice again the mention of "this life" and how it is the primary focus of lost perishing sinners. There is no thought about a future life and existence after death.

Christ warned his followers, saying:

“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly." (Luke 21: 34)

Both of these passages find Christ speaking about "the cares of this life." Life, for unsaved men, involves one simple principle, avoid pain at all costs and obtain all "the pleasures" of "this life." The way to deal with pain is by pleasure and amusement. Hedonism and selfishness are fruits of living this way.

"Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?" (I Cor. 6: 3)

It is important to have right judgment about the things that pertain to this life. But, it is more important to have a right understanding of what pertains to the life to come. If we have understanding about the afterlife, then we should have understanding of the lessor, of this life. But, the natural or carnal man has no good understanding of either the present life or of the life to come.

"No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier." (II Tim. 2: 4)

Thus far, in these passages, there is common reference to "this life" and to the "life that is to come." There is mention of "the cares of this life," and "the affairs of this life," and "things that pertain to this life," and "the pleasures of this life," etc. To concern oneself with only "this life" is unwise and will have ill effect the next life. 

"But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented." (Luke 16: 25) 

Not only was the life of the rich man different than that of Lazarus, but so too was the afterlife of each. One had a life on earth with little hardship and suffering and the other had much hardship and suffering. Yet, when they died, when they entered the afterlife, there was a great reversal. 

Is your whole focus on the present life or on the life to come?